Tackling scooter-enabled crime in London

Targeted intelligence-led operations, increased arrests, new tactics and joint working carried out since the start of the summer is starting to stem the rise in the levels of scooter-enabled crime and violence on London's streets.

The biggest impact to date has resulted from efforts to tackle scooter-enabled crime where the Met's activity is starting to a make a difference. Since April, the number of scooters stolen has decreased steadily; encouragingly, since July, the number of offences on scooters has also decreased. This is supplemented by rising arrest rates and convictions of prolific offenders.

New tactics see the use of forensic tagging, four new purpose built bikes and mobile remote controlled stingers, to make London's streets even more hostile for criminals.

A crime prevention promotion encouraging scooter owners to increase their security is also resulting in better secured vehicles.

The Commissioner, Cressida Dick, said: "I have been clear that tackling violence is my priority. I was angered by the apparent perception amongst some criminals that they could operate with near impunity, committing strings of offences using scooters.

"We have brought all our tactics and specialists together to use every ethical option to put a stop to the rise; arrest those responsible; disrupt offenders; dismantle the criminal markets that make these offences lucrative and change the public's behaviour to make them a part of our effort."

The Met is now using previously successful operations by Trident and Sceptre to roll-out an enhanced taskforce model in a bid to reduce scooter-enabled crime even further, targeted at those committing the most offences. A bespoke intelligence monitoring and tasking function will operate within the Met's 24/7 Pan-London control room to coordinate resources to provide an agile response to intelligence or crimes as they happen.

The Commissioner, continued: "Trident has had a huge impact on reducing the risks posed by the highest harm gang members; Sceptre has demonstrated the genuine impact that a specialist taskforce model can bring to bear and our prevention work is making it harder for criminals to operate and then evade arrest. In parallel, we are also targeting criminals' money, and seizing substantial amounts.

"We know that our criminal cohort committing crime on scooters also carry knives, have links to networks who handle stolen property and who deal drugs. So if you are a persistent phone thief - using a scooter to commit your crimes - and we can prove your involvement in other offences, such as drug dealing, you will be arrested.

"This is where the public can help us. I want to mobilise communities, to channel their outrage as part of a joint effort to make our streets safer. Look after your belongings, follow our security advice and tell us about the people who are responsible for crime in your communities and help us tackle them."

Latest statistics show:

Over the last three months - July to September 2017 - there has been a 25 per cent reduction in the theft of powered two wheelers.

Over the same period there has been a 24 per cent decrease in scooter-enabled crime.

The number of firearms (lethal barrelled) seized from January 2017 to the current date is 679 - which is the highest number taken off criminals so far.

The rise in lethal barrelled discharges has been stemmed and we continue work to bring about a reduction. Year to date figures are 11 per cent higher compared with this time last year, however in December 2016 the figure was 59 per cent higher. This picture is reflected nationally.

In April 2017, the Met was at a 25 per cent increase on 2016 in the number of young people aged under 25 injured by a knife. Since May 2017, when Operation Sceptre was re-launched within Territorial Policing, outside of domestic offences, the level of offences has now decreased. Between May and September 2017 we recorded a 0.8 per cent decrease in the number of offences compared to the same period in 2016.